Discuss the benefits and concerns of genetic engineering.
Genetic engineering, or genetic modification, is the process in which genes can be transferred to the cells of animals and plants, at an early state of their development, so they develop desired characteristics. First of all you take the desired gene from one organism, using enzymes to isolate the gene, and then transfer this gene to the genetic material of a completely different organism. The gene is inserted into a vector (usually a bacterial plasmid or a virus), and this vector is used to insert the gene into the different organism. This concept is used in insulin production, which is needed by people who suffer with diabetes. Genetic engineering has many potential advantages, such as being able to produce organisms with desired characteristics quickly, for example in plant laboratories, but on the other hand, it’s expensive, and there are potential risks, like the possibility of the plants mutating in a dangerous way.
Genetic engineering, or genetic modification, is the process in which genes can be transferred to the cells of animals and plants, at an early state of their development, so they develop desired characteristics. First of all you take the desired gene from one organism, using enzymes to isolate the gene, and then transfer this gene to the genetic material of a completely different organism. The gene is inserted into a vector (usually a bacterial plasmid or a virus), and this vector is used to insert the gene into the different organism. This concept is used in insulin production, which is needed by people who suffer with diabetes. Genetic engineering has many potential advantages, such as being able to produce organisms with desired characteristics quickly, for example in plant laboratories, but on the other hand, it’s expensive, and there are potential risks, like the possibility of the plants mutating in a dangerous way.
